Blackjack Card Values & Scoring

The Foundation of Every Winning Strategy

To win at blackjack, you must be able to calculate the value of your hand at a glance. Whether you are playing at JackpotCity or Spin Casino, the fundamental card values remain identical. Here is the definitive breakdown for 2026.

Card Type	Blackjack Value
Number Cards (2-10)	Face Value (e.g., a 7 is worth 7)
Jack, Queen, King	10 Points Each
Ace	1 or 11 Points (Whichever is most beneficial)

The Strategic Power of “Hard” and “Soft” Hands

In Blackjack, your strategy changes entirely based on whether your hand is “Hard” or “Soft.” Mastering this distinction is what separates professional players from amateurs.

Hard Hands

A hand without an Ace, or where the Ace must be valued at 1 to prevent busting. These hands are rigid and carry a higher risk.

Example: 10 + 7 = Hard 17.

Soft Hands

An Ace hand is currently valued at 11. These are flexible because you cannot bust with a single additional card.

Example: Ace + 6 = Soft 17.

Unsure of the mathematically perfect move? Use our
Interactive Strategy Calculator
for the optimised hit/stand answer.

Ready to Test Your Scoring Skills?

Experience these scoring mechanics at our top-tier Ontario-regulated partners:

The “Natural” Blackjack Rule

The Ace is the engine of the game. If your first two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card (10, J, Q, or K), you have a “Natural Blackjack.” In 2026, most reputable tables pay 3:2 on this hand, meaning a $10 bet pays back $15 in profit instantly (unless the dealer also shows a natural).

💡 Strategy Note

If counting an Ace as 11 would make your total exceed 21, the software (and the rules) automatically re-values it as 1. Check our Blackjack Cheat Sheet for the full matrix of combinations.